October 6, 2009

Is your liver primed and ready for ~WHISKYWEEK SAN FRANCISCO~? There is quite the lineup of events and specials, all starting this coming Sunday October 11th. Here's an overview for you—contact individual venues for more details.

David Blackmore, Glenmorangie Brand Ambassador, will lead a tasting of a selection of the Glenmorangie portfolio. This tasting will involve a full sensory analysis of the components found in Glenmorangie whiskies, helping you to better understand how to analyze and understand a spirit from every perspective. 6pm: meet and greet with welcome cocktail and appetizers; 6:30pm–7:30pm: David's presentation; 7:30pm–8pm: Q&A; 8pm–2am: Glenmorangie dram and cocktail specials. Elixir, 3200 16th St. at Guerrero, 415-552-1633.

Monday October 12thLaphroaig Cocktail Contest at Rye.Ten bartenders will compete. Prizes will be awarded for the top cocktails. Laphroaig cocktails are complimentary. Open to the public. 7:30pm–9:30pm. Rye, 688 Geary St. at Leavenworth, 415-786-7803.

Marko Karakacevic of Marko K Spirits and Charbay Winery and Distillery, and a 13th generation master distiller in his family, will present his inaugural bottling of Double and Twisted IPA Light Whiskey at Elixir. 7pm–9pm: presentation; 9pm–2am: Charbay and Marko K dram and cocktail specials. Elixir, 3200 16th St. at Guerrero, 415-552-1633.

Tuesday October 13th

"True North" Whiskies from Compass Box featuring John Glaser. John will debut the new Compass Box Spice Tree and Orangerie liqueurs.Fifth Floor Restaurant and Lounge, 12 Fourth St. at Market, 415-348-1555.

There is a roundtable tasting at 8pm of Glenrothes, Bowmore, and Auchentoshan at Broken Record.Broken Record, 1166 Geneva Ave. at Edinburgh, 415-963-1713.

St. George Spirits' Master Distiller Lance Winters will present how they do it over in Alameda when it comes to whiskey. The presentation at Elixir is from 7pm–9pm, and then from 9pm–2am there are St. George and Hangar One dram and cocktail specials during The Elixir Quiz.Elixir, 3200 16th St. at Guerrero, 415-552-1633.

Wednesday October 14th

Fifth Floor Restaurant and Lounge is hosting Whiskey Wednesday, offering a flight of three separate whiskies showcasing some of the best whiskies from around the world, from blended and single malt Scotch, Canadian, and Irish whiskies and the best of native bourbons and ryes. In addition to the flight, "flask" service will be available for each of the whiskies offered. A select list of cocktails featuring whisky as the base ingredient (Manhattan, Sazerac, highballs, etc.) will be offered for $7. 5pm–10pm. Fifth Floor Restaurant and Lounge, 12 Fourth St. at Market, 415-348-1555.

K&L Wine Merchants at Alembic Dinner featuring High West Whiskeys and David Perkins of High West Distillery, $100, reservations required, 6pm–9pm. For more information, click here. The Alembic, 725 Haight St. at Cole, 415-666-0822.

Compass Box Range with John Glaser Join the staff at 15 Romolo Place in welcoming whisky-maker extraordinaire John Glaser of Compass Box, who will be pouring his range of Compass Box whiskies. There will be appetizers and some surprises to taste. Starting at 6:30pm. 15 Romolo, 15 Romolo Pl. at Broadway, 415-398-1359. Gardner Dunn, Yamazaki Brand Ambassador What is Japanese whisky? Yamazaki Brand Ambassador and famed New York bartender Gardner Dunn will take you through the history and evolution of whisky production and presentation in Japan. You'll taste some of the Suntory brands, including some unique wood finishes on Yamazaki and the first tasting of the new Hibiki 12 Year, to be released in the U.S. on that day. Gardner will give a visual tour of their distilleries and cooperage, as well as Japanese bartending tools and ice sculpting. 7pm–8:30pm: Gardner's presentation (including welcome cocktail); 8:30pm–9pm: Q&A; 9pm–2am: Elixir Charity Guest Bartending event for The Bartender Relief Fund, benefiting Chicago Bartender Kyle McHugh and featuring Gardner, Elixir bartenders H. Joseph Ehrmann and Alicia Walton, and Bartender Fund President Tony Devencenzi. Elixir, 3200 16th St. at Guerrero, 415-552-1633.

Peter Schwartz, Founder and President of International Beverage Company, Inc. Having 28 years of experience in the alcoholic beverage industry, Peter is a recognized authority and national speaker on the making, marketing, selling, and serving of whiskey. Welcomed in 2008 into the Keepers of the Quaich, the exclusive Scotch whisky society, Peter will discuss a survey tasting of the Scottish Highlands (Deanston), Isle of Mull (Ledaig and Tobermory), and Islay (Bunnahabhain and Black Bottle). You'll look at how they are different from other single malts and blends, the distillation process for each product and the difference of a non chill-filtered product and filtered product. 7pm–8:30pm: Peter's presentation (including welcome cocktail); 8:30pm–9pm: Q&A; 9pm–2am: discounts on all products tasted by the dram or cocktail. Elixir, 3200 16th St. at Guerrero, 415-552-1633.